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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline DECEMBER 02, 2022 | The Indian Eye 17

Indian government rejects USCIRF report on

the state of religious freedom in India

OUR BUREAU egregious religious freedom viola-
tions, as set forth by the International
Washington DC/New Delhi
Religious Freedom Act.”
ndia has slammed the US Com- “Such a designation would re-
mission for International Re- inforce the United States’ concern
Iligious Freedom’s (USCIRF) regarding the conditions discussed
latest report calling it “biased and in this country update and would en-
inaccurate” and accusing the Con- courage the Indian government to
gressionally appointed bipartisan diverge from policies that violate reli-
body of pursuing a motivated and bi- gious freedom and promote commu-
ased agenda. “They (USCIRF) have nal divides,” it said.
a tendency to consistently misrepre- However, the State Department
sent facts and this shows their lack has consistently refused to accept the
of understanding of India, our con- commission’s recommendations so
stitutional framework, plurality and far. It’s not mandatory for the State
our robust democratic system,” said Department to accept USCIRF’s rec-
Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi ommendations.
Arindam Bagchi. The update on religious free-
“Given its past record, we are not suggested that religious freedom and tion made in its 2022 Annual Report dom conditions in India in 2021 and
surprised to see that USCIRF continues related human rights in India are un- issued in that the US State Depart- 2022 alleged that “various policies
to be guided by its prejudices and pur- der ongoing threat for a variety of rea- ment designate India as a “country of adopted and implemented by the
sues a motivated agenda that calls into sons, including various government particular concern,” or CPC. Indian government have cultivated
question its own credibility,” he added. policies that do not protect religious CPC designation is given to the an environment that is increasing-
In a new India Country update re- minorities. worst offenders “for engaging in or ly hostile toward religious minority
leased on November 23, USCIRF had It had reiterated its recommenda- tolerating systematic, ongoing, and communities.”

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